Benefits of A Vented Metal Deck
A vented metal deck is a building construction that has been in use in diverse building applications for several decades. Like many other aspects of building construction, vented metal decking (and other forms of decking) is quite technical and best left to knowledgeable professionals.
One company with abundant professional expertise and experience when it comes to vented metal decks is D-MAC Industries.
What is Vented Composite Metal Deck?
A vented composite metal deck is a building construction material designed to accelerate the drying time of lightweight concrete systems. They can be in the form of a metal roof, floor, or deck. The vents are usually small openings created when the deck’s pan is being designed. The openings or venting areas come in varying sizes, such as 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.5%, and 1.5%.
The deck designs also vary according to the type of metal deck. Design examples include vent tabs, drilled holes, or rolled form bumps.
When Should A Vented Metal Deck Be Used?
This type of deck deck is typically used for metal roof deck systems whose roofs require venting, e.g., when exposed structural concrete is being poured over it. However, it is not uncommon to notice a vented composite metal deck used on constructions that do not require it which is why it is necessary to seek professional advice before application.
Decking Materials
A variety of materials can be used for decking purposes. Here are the decking materials available at D-MAC Industries:
Metal Roof Decks
D-MAC Industries provides architects, steel fabricators, roofing contractors, general contractors, and builders in the US with the four most commonly used metal or steel roof deck types. They are:
Type A Metal Roof Deck (Narrow Rib)
Type A roof deck is a 1 ½” deep structural steel roof deck that works well with a variety of roofing materials and is best suited to thinner rigid insulation. This kind of steel roof deck is usually not meant for new construction projects. It is rather ideal for repair and re-roofing projects. Type A roof decks have the lowest strength-to-weight ratio among all D-MAC steel roof decks.
It comes with a 6” pitch and is available in a 22, 20, or 18 gauge. You’ll get this product either as a prime painted or galvanized steel decking finish.
Type F Metal Roof Deck (Intermediate Rib)
Just like Type A steel roof decks, Type F steel roof decks are not meant for new constructions but are instead more suitable for repair and re-roof projects. It has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than Type A roof deck but a lesser ratio than Type B roof deck.
This implies that Type F roof deck is not capable of carrying as much load at longer spans as Type B roof deck so the steel supports under the metal deck will be more closely spaced together. Therefore, unlike Type B roof deck, Type F roof deck’s closer support spacing leads to an increased number of supports, and thus additional costs for the owner of the building.
Type B Metal Roof Deck (Wide Rib)
Type A metal roof deck was a feature of buildings developed between the late 1940s and late 1950s. However, Type F metal roof deck became the favored deck type between the late 1950s and late 1960s. Presently, the Type B roof deck is overwhelmingly the most popular roof deck for new construction projects since it emerged in the early 1970s.
Type B ranks as the most widely used deck type because it is the most efficient 1.5” deep steel roof deck section. It also boasts the highest strength-to-weight ratio when compared to Type A roof decks and Type F roof decks.
All steel products have a common characteristic – the lighter the section, the more economical it will be. So because B decks can carry higher loads at longer spans than Type A roof decks and Type F roof decks, the steel supports under the metal deck can be spaced wider apart.
The implication? Wider support spacing means fewer supports and additional savings for the owner of the building.
Type N Metal Roof Deck
Type N deep rib metal roof deck has two times the depth of the 1.5” Type B deck. This significantly larger depth ensures that Type N deck is strong enough to span nearly twice the distance of Type B deck in the same gauge.
The capacity to span 10 feet and above makes the Type N metal roof deck appropriate for applications characterized by greater distances between supports. Type N is often used in canopies and other structures that have large open spaces.
Structural members that can span large open spaces (such as in auditoriums and gymnasiums) are weighty, deep, and pricey. Deploying these large members together with Type DR roof decking enables the designer to use fewer primary supports by spacing them wider apart.
One challenge faced in large open spaces is sound control. However, an acoustical Type N deck (or Type NA deck), can absorb as much as 70% of the sound that gets to it. Type NA deck is a standard Type N deck manufactured with perforations in the webs and combined with fiberglass insulation batts that are field installed in the ribs.
Type N deck may not be as popular as Type B deck, yet it is the deep deck product preferred for applications like canopies, auditoriums, gymnasiums, and other large open spaces.
Composite Floor Decks
1 ½″ Composite Floor Deck
The 1 ½″ composite floor deck is the narrowest of D-MAC’s composite steel deck products. You do not need to waste money buying expensive wood forms because each of our steel floor decks can be used as a platform before and during concrete placement.
The concrete poured atop the 1 ½″ metal floor decking creates a strong bond between the concrete and deck. We recommend you pour 2” of concrete over the ribs of the deck to yield a total slab thickness of 3.5”.
2″ Composite Floor Deck
D-MAC Industries stocks premium quality 2” composite floor decks for both public and private nonresidential applications. Our 2” composite steel deck comes in varying gauges. It has a durable galvanized finish and a cover width that is either 24” or 26”.
This corrugated floor decking is not only a long-lasting framework for the concrete but also incredibly efficient for diverse projects.
3″ Composite Floor Deck
Each D-MAC 3” corrugated metal floor decking product is compliant with the standards for engineering, design, manufacturing, and usage of steel decks as captured in the guidelines of the Steel Decking Institute.
3” metal floor decking guarantees superior strength and durability in a host of applications. It is most suitable for multi-level buildings, such as high rises and garages. For best results, at least 2” of concrete should be poured over the composite steel floor deck to obtain a total slab thickness of 5”.
Non-Composite Floor Decks or Form Decks
A non-composite form deck is ideal for situations that do not require steel or concrete. It provides lateral stability to structural members. You can use a form deck as a strong, efficient foundation for forming slabs, floors, and stairways, as well as for other residential and commercial applications.
Our non-composite floor deck is constructed to be a permanent steel base. It should always be installed by qualified and experienced personnel to ensure a safe and effective application.
D-MAC non-composite floor deck is available in four sizes:
- 0.6” Form Deck
- 1.0” Form Deck
- 1.3” Form Deck
- 1.5” Form Deck
Each of these high-quality non-composite floor decks is available in multiple gauges and a galvanized finish.
Benefits of A Vented Metal Deck
Traditionally, steel form deck products have been designed with venting so that excess mix water can drain from the cement-like slurry component of lightweight insulating concrete (LWIC) in roof systems. The excess water in this slurry is meant to enable the pumping and placement of the mix.
Furthermore, venting also brings about the reduction of vapor pressure that will form in the LWIC when covered with an impermeable roofing membrane. Unrelieved vapor pressure induced by heating due to sun exposure can lead to blistering in roofing membranes if venting is not provided.
LWIC is not to be confused with structural lightweight concrete. The former is an insulating product while the latter is a structural component of a composite floor system.
Why Choose D-Mac for Your Vented Metal Deck?
D-MAC Industries is a highly experienced metal deck fabricating and distributing company established 35 years ago. We are your go-to supplier with 30 locations across the United States. We provide our customers with the very best service and support, so your project can stay on time and on budget.
We’ve helped contractors, builders, engineers, and architects successfully accomplish various kinds of vented metal deck projects quickly. Learn more about our various deck products and contact us to get a quick and easy quote.
